In the UK the law-makers (our MPs) have looked into the publication of scientific work and believe that the peer-review process can be improved. This is sensible as there is a lot of work being produced that needs objective assessment. They unfortunately also suggest/recommend formal training. This is very disappointing as this will do nothing to improve the review process.
Most journals or conferences provide guidelines for a reviewer and the review process IS ALREADY part of the training of all researchers. When one takes a degree or PhD one is encouraged to assess work of ones peers critically and objectively in order to understand the relevance of ones own work in that area.
Formal training in this case will do nothing to help apart from waste more of the dwindling pot of money allocated to research and, what is even more worrying, waste researchers time.
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